Clamping down on illegal waste carriers

Special spot check operations undertaken by Hounslow Council have caught those carrying waste illegally.

Published: Monday, 12th December 2016

Special spot check operations undertaken by Hounslow Council have caught those carrying waste illegally to dump rubbish, red-handed.

The Council’s Enforcement team along with local police and Hounslow Highways, held the waste carrier check operations over the last two months – in October and November - as part of an ongoing campaign to tackle the illegal dumping of waste across the borough.

The three teams worked in partnership to carry out checks on vans at various targeted points within the Borough. This resulted in 2 drivers without appropriate licences, receiving a Fixed Penalty Notice (FPN) with a fine of £300, the first pulled over east bound on the A4 and the other west bound on the Staines Road.

The Council aims to carry out further such operations with the warning that as well as Fixed Penalty Notices being issued, individuals and businesses found illegally carrying waste can also expect to be prosecuted in court which could result in suspended custodial sentences, having their vehicles seized and fines that run into thousands of pounds.

A legitimate waste carrier must have a Waste Carriers Licence issued by the Environment Agency. The Environment Agency has a publicly accessible register of all licensed waste carriers.

Councillor Sue Sampson, Cabinet Member for Community Protection, Hounslow Council, said: “We’re using information from the public and CCTV to catch these irresponsible waste carriers and our enforcement team will continue to work with the police to carry out checks. We will also go after anyone we can link to the rubbish. Even if that means prosecuting the person who owned the waste.

“There’s an easy way to avoid any action and that’s to check if the person taking away your waste is licensed to do so. If you don’t, as well as a hefty fine, you could end up with a criminal record.”

The council is actively investigating all dumped rubbish for evidence of who the waste belongs to. If proof of where the rubbish came from is found, the council’s enforcement team will take action and can also prosecute the resident for irresponsible waste disposal.

Residents who may see or have suspicions that someone is carrying waste illegally can also report their suspicions.

If you are employing somebody to dispose of your waste:

Take the registration number of the vehicle removing the waste, and the drivers details including their name, address and telephone number

Ask to see the person’s waste carrier licence. Take a photograph of this if you can. It can also be checked via the Environment Agency - using their online public register or call 03708 506 506

Describe the waste in writing and create a transfer note with the person’s name on it. Take a photograph of this too.

The council is actively investigating all dumped rubbish for evidence of who the waste belongs to. If proof of where the rubbish came from is found, the council’s enforcement team will take action and can also prosecute the resident for disposing of the waste irresponsibly.

Residents who may see or have suspicions that someone is carrying waste illegally can also report their suspicions to the Councils Neighbourhood Enforcement Team